The Post-Journal

Irv Noren May Need Knee Operation

Irv Noren, Jamestown-born outfielder of the New York Yankees, accepted the defeat of the New Yorkers in the World Series as one of those “that’s the way the ball bounces” things, his father, Perry Noren, former bakery shop operator here, said today.

The elder Noren, accompanied by his wife, is visiting the home of Mrs. Noren’s brother, Elmer Johnson of 44 Fluvanna Avenue.

Irv’s injured right knee is healing slowly and may require an operation before the 1956 season, his father reported. “Irv will either need surgery or stay off the knee as much as possible this winter, but he’ll be back in baseball next spring whether or not he is operated on” he explained.

Irv on Japan Tour

The former Jamestowner who was a sensation in the minor leagues before making the big show with Washington is now with the Yankees on their tour of Japan. The club, which was flown to Hawaii and on to Tokyo, will play 17 games in the Orient.

Mr. and Mrs. Noren are en route to their home in California from the series. They are driving a new car purchased by Irv shortly before he departed with the Yanks for Japan.

The senior Noren and his eldest son, Everett, operate a bakery in Pasadena. Irv makes his home in Arcadia, where he hopes to open a sporting goods store. Irv now has three children ages 1, 4 and 8.

Irv broke in with Santa Barbara in the California League in 1946. He was at Ft. Worth in 1947 and 1948, Hollywood in ’49 and up to the Senators in ’50 where he remained until dealt to the Yankees on May 3, 1952. The Nats traded Noren and infielder Tom Upton to the Yanks for outfielders Jackie Jenson and Archie Wilson, pitcher Frank Shea and infielder Jerry Snyder.

Perry Had Team Here

Washington bought Noren from the Brooklyn chain for an estimated $80,000.

“The Yanks need relief pitching. They sure miss Allie Reynolds,” Perry Noren said in reviewing the series.
Perry managed and caught for his own team while operating a bakery here. The family departed for California in 1936. “I hoped to try pro baseball when I was young, but my folks said nothing doing,” Perry laughs now.

The senior Norens will continue their trip home in about a week. “I am turning the business over to Everett more and more and we expect to get back East to visit friends in Jamestown quite frequently,” he pointed out.


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